Laynie and her Lop-Eared Bunny

So... in an attempt to cultivate a possible talent, I pulled out the watercolors and painted Laynie and her lop-eared bunny, Roxy.

This photo was the inspiration behind it all.  I want to paint more, but it takes a huge chunk of my day and when my right brain takes over, my house becomes a mess!  Lol! I really want to paint pictures of those I love most... so stay tuned.  Perhaps I'll pull out the pallet once more.  ;)

 

Halloween Hoopla

So much hoopla around Halloween time!  I love it (and slightly despise it)!  But one thing is for sure:  We could never go without doing our Boo Day TRADITION!

We kept it small this year just inviting grandma/pa and Brothers.

We had to draw a halloween scene on a paper plate on our heads.

And of course we played Witches Broomstick!

Grandpa is doing the "Witch's Dance!"

We had a spaghetti dinner and Boo Day cake!

Gavin was Harry Potter, Brittney was Trinity from the Matrix, and Laynie was a unicorn.

The ghost hosts of Boo Day!

Matt is super supportive - as always.  And NO that is not a chip on his shoulder!

(I was a blessing in disguise.)

"Lumos!"

Cutie-corn!

Laynie wore dad's costume to her dance class.

We decorated the back of the van like Hawaii for our ward's Trunk or Treat.  Which was slightly ironic because it was freezing outside!!!  Matt and I held a swim noodle that the kids had to do the limbo under in order to get a scoop of candy from the sand bucket.  (I moved the letters in ALOHA over as well so you could see the whole word.)

The kids had fun with friends.

On Sunday, the kids and dad carved pumpkins.  Carving pumpkins is not my jam, so I usually just help out - which I did this year.

Took this picture right before letting Gavin lose to go trick or treat with a group of friends.  We put a candy bucket on our doorstep and walked around with Laynie - later hooking up with the Jarrett's and Bryners.

Gavin's massive loot.

Laynie pretty stoked over her stash.

I paid the kids $15 each for their candy this year - in hopes of being healthier and fewer cavities.

And here are the pumpkins all lit up!  Happy Hallow's Eve!

 

Matthew Turns 39!

Matthew Philip Anderson - the man of my dreams, the father of our children, dedicated Priesthood holder, product manager extraordinaire, and the love of my life - turned 39.  He gives of himself freely - often in quiet unnoticed ways.  He is kind, thoughtful and smart.  I'm so glad he's mine and that we get to grow old together.  Life is cruel sometimes.  It can rob you of health, life, happiness, etc.  If it were to ever rob me of my Matt, my heart would be shattered in pieces.  This is why I've told him we have to leave this world at the same time - together.

The kids made him breakfast in bed and gave him a few endearing gifts.  I gave Matt a massager - because he's getting older, after all.

We also ate out at Matt's favorite place - Chili's!

Happy 39 trips around the sun, Matthew Philip Anderson!  I love you!

 

It's Autumn Time, It's Autumn Time!

Gavin participated in his den's Cubanapolis!  He made a pencil car and Laynie made a Love Bug.  They raced around a track and had 3 different pit stops: 1. get their windshield's clean (spray and wipe off sunglasses), 2. refueling (drink a juice box), and 3. change out the tires (take off shoes and put them back on).  It was so fun and the kids had a time to remember.

Racing around the track!

Putting on her final touches.

Refueling!

Making a rice krispie treat car at the end.

There was even a dad race at the end!

We went to our city's fall festival.  The kids got to ride a train, have fun on bounce houses, go trick or treating to all the business booths, and go in a petting zoo.

We took a fall hike with friends

Kami and I with our kids hiked up a canyon in Centerville to a swing.

My little class of preschoolers this year - taking a fall walk about.

During Fall Break, Laynie had to have Uncle Brian extract 5 teeth in preparation for her craniofacial surgery this December.

And...We sat at Cabela's for 2 hours selling cub scout popcorn to help raise funds for Gavin's den.  Gavin did a good job being brave and there are some really kind people out there who donated and bought some overly-priced popcorn!

 

September 2022

We had a bounteous cucumber crop this year!!!  So we were able to go from...

VINE

TO

BRINE!

YUMMY PICKLES - I canned over 30 quart jars!

Our raspberry patch did wonderfully well too!  I was able to make 7 pints of raspberry jam and froze probably around 4 gallon sized ziplock bags of them.

We went on a little hike in Draper.

The kids put on some "sketches" using the costumes we've collected over the years.

We spent a fun day at LAGOON!!! (Thanks to Soulence Tax and Accounting!)

Spent an evening with my old friend, Izumi and her husband from Okinawa.

Made solar ovens in Activity Days for Boys.

Gavin made a poster as part of his homework.

And Laynie and Halie (neighbor friend) had an art sale.

Phew!  That was a September to Remember!